Clifftop destination wedding ceremony in Mallorca under the golden sunset skies with the Mediterranean Sea in the background

When to get married in Spain: a guide to weather, regions and costs, plus professional planner tips

Balmy summer evenings with a whispering warm breeze, the sweet scent of orange blossom drifting across a garden, light rippling on a turquoise ocean, the sound of skirts swishing during a dramatic flamenco display… Spain truly is a feast for all the senses, and it’s no wonder it’s a popular choice for a European destination wedding.

We’ve helped lots of couples organize a magical wedding with our destination wedding packages for Spain, and are here to share our experience of planning a memorable Spanish micro wedding or elopement.

Timing really matters when it comes to deciding when to get married in Spain, as you’ll need to consider regional climate differences, hours of daylight, national holidays and more. In this post we’ll look at all of these, as well as sharing insider tips from Jill, our Spain-based wedding planner who’s lived in Ibiza for over 20 years.

Newlyweds having a photoshoot in the middle of Cala Llentia in Ibiza during their Spanish wedding abroad

Spain’s wedding seasons at a glance

Spain is sometimes described as the most climatically diverse country in Europe. There’s a variety of weather across its regions, which can be broadly separated into four microclimates.

The hot summer Mediterranean creates a summer with high temperatures and high humidity, paired with a mild winter. Andalucia, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands have this climate, as do Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia. Popular Spanish cities in this region include Barcelona, Tarragona, Girona, Malaga, Marbella, Cadiz, Málaga, Valencia and Seville.

The warm summer Mediterranean climate is found further inland, in places such as Galicia, Castile and León. This climate is much less extreme – summer is still lovely, but not as intense, and winters are short and mild.

The semi-arid climate is covers Madrid and the South East of the country. The sunny period extends well beyond the Mediterranean summer, and it can be very dry.

Spain’s Northern areas are where you’ll find the oceanic climate, including Cantabria, Basque Country and Navarre. These are much cooler and wetter, with even some snow in the winter.

Couple holding each other’s hands during the ceremony of their destination wedding in Spain at the cliffs of Mallorca

Spring weddings in Spain (March–May)

Why our couples love spring weddings: Blooming scenery, soft light for photography.

Pros: Lower humidity in Mediterranean areas, comfortable temperatures, affordable prices.

Cons: Busy Easter tourism, chance of rain in the north.

Best regions for a spring Spanish wedding: Barcelona and Costa Brava for a relaxed coastal feel, Mallorca and Costa del Sol for sunshine and beaches, Madrid for a chic city experience.

“Spring in Spain is my favourite time of the year for a wedding!” enthuses Jill. “The sun is out, the birds are out, and the landscape is transformed with vibrant flowers and gorgeous greenery.” Jill loves how regions such as Andalusia, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands boast wide expanses of blooming almond trees, providing a breathtaking setting for outdoor ceremonies and photographs. “Their blossom is the perfect eco-confetti!”

Jill also appreciates spring for its mild weather. “It’s ideal for outdoor weddings as temperatures are comfortable, not too hot or cold, allowing your guests to enjoy the celebration without discomfort. Just tell them to bring a cardigan or pashmina for the evening, just in case...”

Our couple Britney and Valentine took advantage of the Spanish spring sunshine for their sunset micro wedding in Mallorca, where they exchanged their vows during sunset on a clifftop overlooking the sea. The sun also shone for Seana and Bernando’s May wedding in Barcelona, which took place in a picturesque rustic villa just outside the city.

Spring is considered the shoulder season in many parts of Spain, meaning venues and accommodation can be more affordable compared with peak summer months, reports Jill. “This makes it a budget-friendly option without compromising on beauty or experience.”

Bride and groom happily exit the ceremony area during their summer destination wedding in Spain at a farmhouse in Cadiz

Summer weddings in Spain (June–August)

Why our couples love a summer wedding: amazing vibes, beach venues, bright blue skies.

Pros: predictable sunshine, long hours of daylight.

Cons: Intense heat, most expensive time to visit.

Best regions for a summer Spanish wedding: Ibiza and Mallorca for sunshine with coastal breezes, North Spain for milder summer temperatures.

“Sea, sky, sun: what’s not to love about summer in Spain?” says Jill. At this time of year, Spain’s coastline offers numerous beachside venues perfect for a summer wedding. From the costas to the islands, you can exchange vows on the seashore or clifftop any day of the week.

This season is also filled with local festivals and vibrant nightlife, and incorporating some of these these cultural elements into your wedding can create a very memorable experience for your guests. “Here at Peach Perfect, we like to delve deep into the local culture and traditions, weaving elements of it into your Spanish wedding,” explains Jill. “Tomatina, anyone?!”

Another advantage of a Spanish summer wedding is the extended daylight hours, which allow for longer celebrations and more time to capture stunning photographs. “Many of my couples choose an evening ceremony, followed by a sunset reception and a party late into the night,” shares Jill. “And when I say late...!”

Sabrina and Aditya travelled to Cadiz in Andalusia for their August luxury farmhouse wedding, where the warm summer temperatures meant the party continued long into the night in the courtyard of their gorgeous venue.

Jill’s advice is to make a summer vacation out of your wedding experience. “Make time to relax before and certainly after the big day – get in that pool!”

Bride and groom are framed by a door during the ceremony of their autumn destination wedding in Spain

Fall weddings in Spain (September–November)

Why our couples love a fall wedding: Gorgeous light, beautiful foliage, beautiful produce and wine.

Pros: Fewer tourists, sunshine without the intense heat.

Cons: Shorter days, increased chance of rain.

Best regions for a Spanish wedding in fall: Andalusia for fincas and country estates, La Rioja and Galicia for vineyard vibes, Castilla y León for stunning scenery.

Jill is a big fan of the Spanish landscape in fall. “The autumn foliage adds a beautiful palette of reds, oranges and yellows to the countryside,” she enthuses. “Locations such as La Rioja and Galicia provide stunning backdrops for wedding photos and ceremonies. Or stay in the south for more sun and blue skies, where you’d hardly know it’s autumn at all. Or at least not as we foreigners know it!”

Fall’s beautiful weather has lots of advantages for you and your guests. “The weather remains lovely and warm, though less intense than summer, providing comfortable and manageable temperatures for you and your guests,” says Jill. “It’s also an excellent time for outdoor activities and exploring the local area now that peak season is over and most of the tourists have gone home.”

Jill was thrilled to organize an intimate golden hour Spanish elopement in her hometown of Ibiza for Australian couple Nicole and Rohan, where the natural beauty of this island was centre stage for the romantic ceremony.

This is also harvest season in Spain, so take advantage of this to craft a delicious wedding menu rooted in seasonal produce that highlights Spanish culinary traditions.

Newlyweds walk down the aisle to end their garden ceremony in Andalusia and start the drinks reception of their Spanish wedding abroad

Winter weddings in Spain (December–February)

Why our couples love winter weddings: Intimate atmosphere, winter sunshine.

Pros: Much milder than Northern Europe, most affordable time for travel, accommodation and suppliers.

Cons: Some venues may be closed, shorter hours of daylight.

Best regions for a Spanish winter wedding: The Canary Islands, Andalusia and Costa del Sol for sunshine, Sierra Nevada and Pyrenees for snow.

“Winter weddings in Spain can be enchanting, especially in cozy venues such as historic castles or rustic country houses with their open fireplaces,” says Jill. “These settings provide an intimate and romantic atmosphere, perfect for a winter wedding.”

Winter is the off-peak season, which means more availability and lower costs for venues and services. This can help you stretch your budget further while still enjoying a beautiful wedding experience.

Even though it’s off-peak, the sun is still very much in evidence. “Remember, bad weather is not really the norm in most parts of Spain, so even in winter a lovely sunny ceremony is possible outdoors,” advises Jill.

If you fancy snow, consider the Sierra Nevada or the Pyrenees for a wedding with a winter sports twist. These locations offer breathtaking snowy landscapes, ideal for a unique and memorable celebration. But if snow is the last thing you want to see on your wedding day, Jill suggests to keep going south. “Head for the Costa del Sol or Andalusia, or even the Canaries where it’s basically summer all year round.”

Andalusia’s mild winter meant that American couple Katherine and Steve could enjoy an outdoors ceremony for their winter wedding in Spain, and the bride was able to wear a stunning black off-the-shoulder gown.

Newlyweds walk along the wide estate of the 15th-century castle that served as the venue for their destination wedding in Spain

When to get married in Spain by region

Best time for a wedding in Barcelona

When? Spring and fall.

Why? Coastal breezes and that gorgeous Mediterranean light.

Best time to get married in Marbella

When? May–June, September–October

Why? These periods skip the high temperatures of July and August, as well as avoiding tourist crowds.

Best time to get married in Mallorca/Ibiza

When? May–July, September.

Why? Enjoy island magic without intense heat and too many tourists.

Best time to for a wedding in Seville

When? Spring and fall.

Why? Summer is extremely hot, so a shoulder season Seville wedding allows you to enjoy the city without sweltering.

Best time to get married in the Canary Islands

When? Year-round.

Why? The subtropical climate guarantees a warm welcome for your wedding whatever time of year.

Other considerations for when to get married in Spain

Spanish holidays

There are various national holidays and busy periods across Spain, which can affect accommodation and travel prices, as well as venue and vendor availability. These include:

Wedding guests for a destination wedding in Spain dance and celebrate under the warm summer weather

Week day versus weekend

Weekends (Friday and Saturday, sometimes Sunday) are more popular days for weddings than weekdays, so planning your celebration from Monday to Thursday will help with the budget. And as you and your guests will be traveling anyway, you can take advantage of this and not have to work around usual work or school commitments.

Bride and groom in casual attires walking in the middle of a pathway of the farmhouse where they got married in Spain

Your guest availability

Another thing to consider is your guests’ availability, and when would be easiest for them to travel to Spain if you’d like them to be a part of your big day. Think about school vacations, national holidays in your own country and their work commitments.

Bride with her bridesmaids holding bouquets during a destination wedding in Spain

Flight availability and cost

As a major tourist destination, there are lots of flights to all parts of Spain. These will be more expensive during busy seasons such as summer and Christmas, although the advantage of traveling during these times is that there will be more flight frequency and availability.

Clifftop venue in Mallorca for a destination wedding in Spain with forested hills in the background

Expert tips from our Spanish destination wedding planner

Booking timeline

Jill advises that the optimum timeframe for planning a Spanish destination wedding is 12-18 months, as this will ensure you get your first choice of venue and vendors.

But as someone with an extensive network of Spanish wedding contacts, Jill has also organized celebrations with a much shorter lead-in time – so your dream wedding or elopement is possible with just a few months’ notice.

Details about a destination wedding in Spain written on stationaries and posted in an iron wall decor for the reception

Legal & religious paperwork

It isn’t easy to have a legally binding wedding in Spain, as it requires at least one of you to be a resident. But if this is something you’d like to pursue, you’ll need to ensure you set aside enough time to get the paperwork sorted. You’ll find more information here in our blog post on Spanish legal wedding requirements.

Bride and groom holding hands with their guest and celebrant during the ceremony of their Spanish wedding abroad

Outdoor or indoor wedding

Spain’s sunshine means that if you have your heart set on an al fresco wedding, it should definitely be possible. Spring and fall bring comfortable temperatures across most of the country, while southern Spain and the Canary Islands are great for a sunny winter wedding.

If you’re having a summer wedding in central or southern Spain, or on the Balearic or Canary Islands, you may wish to wait until later afternoon or even sunset for your ceremony, to avoid the intense midday heat.

Black-themed outdoor destination wedding in Spain during winter in a farmhouse in Alenquer

Planning your Spanish destination wedding

Spain promises an unforgettable wedding no matter what time of year you decide to get married. If this article has confirmed that this friendly European country is your peachy perfect place to tie the knot, check out our all-inclusive wedding packages for Spain to help realize your wedding dreams!

This article was created by:

Helen Dorritt

Helen is a writer and editor based in Bristol, UK. After five years sitting in the editor's chair of a bridal magazine, she now specialises in writing about all things wedding. You can find her on LinkedIn and The Wedding Wordsmith.

Jill Canney

As both a qualified celebrant and an experienced planner, Jill is your Spanish wedding angel! Originally from Derry in Northern Ireland, she’s called Ibiza home for the last 20 years, where she loves exploring its beautiful countryside on foot and on bike.